Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini says the European champions had 2022 World Cup qualification in their hands but threw it away after dropping into the play-offs on Monday night.
The Azzurri knew they had to beat Northern Ireland in Belfast and hope Switzerland don’t defeat Bulgaria with a wide goal margin.
But a 0-0 draw at Windsor Park and the Swiss 4-0 domination made it a clear-cut case.
“I am disappointed,” said Mancini in his press conference in Belfast, where no opponent was able to score in this World Cup qualifying group.
Also Read: 2022 WCQ: Maguire Sets England Goal Record In 10-0 Win Vs San Marino
Northern Ireland end the campaign with a 1-0 win over Lithuania and three 0-0 draws in their home stadium.
Ultimately, qualification was lost during the two draws with Switzerland, in which Jorginho failed to convert two penalties.
“We made life complicated for ourselves and qualification should’ve been sealed at least two games ago. We had the chances and didn’t take them, now we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground, because there is still the possibility of qualifying for the World Cup.”
Just four months after impressing everyone by winning UEFA EURO 2020 and setting a new all-time world unbeaten run record of 37 games, Mancini finds himself dealing with a depressed Italy.
“I continue to believe that we are a great team. This is a difficult moment, we threw away qualification that we had in our hands.
“We’ve got to rediscover our calm for March and continue playing, because we were up against a Northern Ireland team that only defended.
“It will be different in March, these are knockout fixtures, and so there will be far more opportunities to play and win.”
The route to the 2022 World Cup is far more complicated than in 2018, as only three of the 12 teams entering the play-offs will get a ticket to the tournament.
There is a seeded draw, then a semi-final and final.
“I believe we will go to the World Cup, as we have two games to play and will be sure to do it right.”
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COMMENTS
This man is not differ from average coaches using big teams to gather and achieve results with no clear pattern. After Italy winning the Euro they thought he was a messiah but low and behold a clueless tactician let the excuses begin. Roar volume 2.
Well,Kell.Hmmmmmmmm, I expect you to see life better than you have analysed it.Glad you agreed he won Euros just 2 months ago.But how come he now suddenly became ‘clueless tactician’?.
The same way u guys will regard Rohr.Oyibo people don’t reason the way u have reasoned.Infact they will simply go back to the drawing boards to analyse where the banana peels was and how they can avoid it going forward.Football is not analysed by that your standard,football like every other sport has gone scientific and solutions proffered scientifically. You are only using head knowledge and sentiment to reach your conclusion on Mancini,which to a large extent is very unintelligent on your part.
They are not like black men who reason upside down.Trust me, even if Italy does not qualify eventually,they might still retain Mancini,so that he builds for the future.
You people condemned Rohr for inviting Okoye to the national from a fourth tier team,not knowing what the man saw in him.And in 2years he went to Holland and even became the best there,yet you guys complained that he’s not Super Eagles material, to shut u guys up he’s heading for Premier league. All these and many more should teach you that sport is not Seen with naked eyes or empty brain,only men with analytical mind and refined temperance manage and predict for sport.
Don’t write off Mancini and Italy like,it is u fair and unintelligent.
Is Okoye is great goalie? I will be confident with Vincent Enyeama over Okoye. Do not be deceived that they have successfully marketed him and I can put my money that Italy with this man will not make it to World Cup mark my world. All the mediocre coaches Portugal, Italy and that line are all being exposed one by one by tactically sound coaches. I am a fan of German, Spain and Brazil Coach of today. I don’t support gather and play coaches I love beautiful attacking football and results. I stand for brilliance not Average sir.
Very sound analysis!!!
I guess this one is not coming to Rome.
Thanks Tayo. Again Kel,you don’t sound intelligent at all,that goes to show that even in your given endeavour you will not do well.
How old is Okoye?,at his age where was Enyeama playing?what gives you the impression that Okoye will not keep impressing and improving even better that Enayeama at his peak?.The best Enyeama had at that age was African champions league(which I respect much) but Okoye at 20 was the best in the entire Dutch league which necessitated his scouting by better reasoned and analytical people and clubs.For your information,before he signed for Watford,Lille, Inter and clubs in Spain wanted him.So you can’t be more sane than the Oyinbo people.
Anyways let’s not over flog this matter,your opinion over who becomes the Eagles first choice is not needed.More Inteligent people shall handle that.
@Emmanuel you are not close to average talkless of intelligent so I will not go into argument with you sir. When we get to high stage all of you will be exposed.
Kel,no one is making argument with you,all I have said is for you to make sensible and Inteligent analysis.I have not said I am Inteligent, but you have a chance to be on this platform but for your inner weakness.
Be open minded,my advice to u.